GP practices in Lincolnshire are to open longer, including on Saturdays, it’s been announced.
The NHS Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board has announced it will be providing access to NHS GP surgeries from 6.30pm to 8pm weekdays and 9am to 5pm on Saturday, on top of current opening hours.
The appointments are be booked through a patient’s usual GP surgery, though they may be at a nearby one.
The extra hours working will be manned by a ‘multi-disciplinary team’, the NHS has said.
A spokesman for the ICB, said: “Launched October 2022, GP practices now offer patients a new ‘Enhanced Access’ model of care, which will see the practices open during the evening weekdays and 9am-5pm on Saturdays.
“These enhanced access hours aim to simplify the existing models of enhanced hours and access currently in place.
“The new model will see routine general practice appointments available at patients’ own GP practice, or another local NHS location, on weekday evenings from 6.30pm – 8.00pm and on Saturdays from 9.00am – 5.00pm.
“Patients can book appointments at evenings and weekends by contacting their own GP practice.
“Appointments will be delivered by multidisciplinary teams, including GPs, nurses, and other healthcare professionals.
“Appointments will be available to book 2 weeks in advance, or on the day if there is availability. There will be a choice of ways to access appointments depending on clinical need, including face to face and remote appointments via telephone or online.
“To book, patients can contact their usual GP practice.
“Patients are also asked to contact their practice to cancel their appointment if they are unable to attend.
“This is a consistent national access offer to provide routine appointments at evenings and weekends to meet locally determined demand, alongside effective access to out of hours and urgent care services.
“Additionally, this provides a solution for patients who may otherwise attend A&E.”
A mix of routine appointments will be available within these additional hours with access, all provided by the existing multidisciplinary teams working in general practice.
Overall, this will enhance primary care access across Lincolnshire while also increasing the level of engagement and participation of all practices working together and closer to other professionals from across the health and social care system.
